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State Penitentiary Inmate Sentenced for Possession of Weapon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 10, 2018

CONTACT: Sara Rabern (605) 773-3215

PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Marty Jackley confirms that State Penitentiary inmate Donald Warren Hayes, age 49, pled guilty today to one count of possession of a weapon by an inmate and was sentenced to 25 years in the state penitentiary with 5 suspended. This sentence will run consecutive to Hayes’ current sentence.

On April 11, 2017, prison officials found two shanks hidden in Hayes’ lamp. Hayes admitted to making and hiding the shanks.

This case was investigated by Special Security at the South Dakota State Penitentiary and the Division of Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

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